Democratic Republic Of The Congo

Introducing Democratic Republic Of The Congo

Ignored by all but the most intrepid travellers, the
Democratic Republic of Congo is an undiscovered adventure in the
heart of Africa. Decades of civil war and corruption after the end
of colonialism brought the central African Democratic Republic of
Congo to its knees economically, politically, and socially,
although the country has the potential of being the richest in
Africa. This vast country (third largest on the continent)
currently exists in a state of fragile peace after decades of civil
war, still plagued by occasional outbreaks of violence. Despite the
tensions, investors are keeping tabs on this battle-worn equatorial
enclave, which has enormous mineral wealth, including copper and
cobalt.

To the north east, bordering Uganda's Rwenzori
Mountains and the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, lies the
Virunga National Park that was established in 1925 as Africa's
first national park. It became well known for its mountain gorillas
(although these are now extremely rare due to poaching and the
ongoing civil war), and is close in proximity to beautiful Lake
Kivu.

The capital, Kinshasa, is a transportation hub on the
Congo River, one of Africa's main arteries, sited opposite
Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of the Congo. The city is no
backwater, despite the collapse of its economy due to political
turmoil; it sports a university and several other important
academic institutions, including a research centre for tropical
medicine, some worthy historic buildings, monuments and museums.
Just outside of Kinshasa is the Lola y Bonobo sanctuary for
orphaned bonobo monkeys, as well as a few lovely lakes for swimming
and watersports.

Visiting the DRC is risky and recreational tourism is
not advised; however, businessmen, diplomats, aid workers and
others with essential business are well-catered for in some good
hotels and restaurants, chiefly in Kinshasa's affluent Gombe
district.

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